Koya-san & Hanshin Tigers
Yesterday, Mike and I returned from our stay on Mount Koya at Eko-in Temple. On Tuesday, it was about noon when we arrived by cable car and we took a short bus to the temple to check in and drop off our things.
The first time we went (three years ago), it wasn't very crowded, however Tuesday evening was the Koya-san Candle Festival held in Okoin (the massive cemetary) and it also happens to be the week of Obon - an annual Buddhist custom to honour ancestors. (Families will usually visit their hometowns and the graves of passed family members). So, since it was the Candle Festival event day and Obon, it was extremely busy. I am sure the temple Mike and I stayed at was full. There were plenty of tour buses and many, many foreigners.
At the temple, for dinner, we had Shojin-ryouri; Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. This is still my favourite type of food in Japan.
The festival started around 7:00pm. We walked a few minutes to the entrance of Okoin where everyone was lining up to get small candles (which were given for free - they had a total of 100,000 to give out!).
There is a long, wide, stone pathway leading through the cemetary. On either side of the path, styrofoam covered by allumimun had been placed for the candles to be stuck in. It was really beautiful.
Unfortunately one of the buildings at the end of the path which is filled with lanterns was closed for some reason :( It's a large building close to Kobayashi's monument, which is filled with shelves of glowing lanterns, also covering the ceiling. I am guessing they wanted to keep it closed due to the crowds of people attending the candle festival.
Regardless, I am really glad Mike and I were able to attend ^^
The walk probably took an hour considering the crowds of people, but walking on the way back, since mostly everyone had left (except for the volunteers), it was nice just to see the pathway lined with candles.
I don't have any of my own pictures at the moment, but here are a couple... I'll post the others when I am able to upload them ;P
The next day, Mike and I walked around a bit before taking the cable car and train to Shinimamiya, where we met Kanzaki-sensei (my beginner level Japanese teacher) and his family for a baseball game at the Osaka Kyocera Dome. It was the Hanshin Tigers vs. Hiroshima Carp. The energy from the fans was amazing. I don't think I heard anyone "boo"- except when there was one disagreement on the field. XD
There was one point before the 7th inning where Kanzaki-sensei explained there would be whistling. I had a hard time believing people would just whistle, but then he handed me a balloon. Apparently when the balloon lets out air, it makes a whistling noise.
So, at the beginning of the 7th inning, everyone released their balloons into the air! I have a video, but it isn't very good (i'll edit it and post it later) XD I was too preoccupied with holding the balloon. XD
After the game, Tomas, Mike and I went for a couple drinks and gyoza. It was a good couple days ^^
Tonight, Mike's English school boss is having a dinner at his place. Tomorrow I will visit Ake and her family one more time T.T
I don't have many days left here, but I have made so many memories, and it really don't feel like I ever left, so that must be a good thing ^^
Until next time!
またね～！
The first time we went (three years ago), it wasn't very crowded, however Tuesday evening was the Koya-san Candle Festival held in Okoin (the massive cemetary) and it also happens to be the week of Obon - an annual Buddhist custom to honour ancestors. (Families will usually visit their hometowns and the graves of passed family members). So, since it was the Candle Festival event day and Obon, it was extremely busy. I am sure the temple Mike and I stayed at was full. There were plenty of tour buses and many, many foreigners.
At the temple, for dinner, we had Shojin-ryouri; Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. This is still my favourite type of food in Japan.
The festival started around 7:00pm. We walked a few minutes to the entrance of Okoin where everyone was lining up to get small candles (which were given for free - they had a total of 100,000 to give out!).
There is a long, wide, stone pathway leading through the cemetary. On either side of the path, styrofoam covered by allumimun had been placed for the candles to be stuck in. It was really beautiful.
Unfortunately one of the buildings at the end of the path which is filled with lanterns was closed for some reason :( It's a large building close to Kobayashi's monument, which is filled with shelves of glowing lanterns, also covering the ceiling. I am guessing they wanted to keep it closed due to the crowds of people attending the candle festival.
Regardless, I am really glad Mike and I were able to attend ^^
The walk probably took an hour considering the crowds of people, but walking on the way back, since mostly everyone had left (except for the volunteers), it was nice just to see the pathway lined with candles.
I don't have any of my own pictures at the moment, but here are a couple... I'll post the others when I am able to upload them ;P
The next day, Mike and I walked around a bit before taking the cable car and train to Shinimamiya, where we met Kanzaki-sensei (my beginner level Japanese teacher) and his family for a baseball game at the Osaka Kyocera Dome. It was the Hanshin Tigers vs. Hiroshima Carp. The energy from the fans was amazing. I don't think I heard anyone "boo"- except when there was one disagreement on the field. XD
There was one point before the 7th inning where Kanzaki-sensei explained there would be whistling. I had a hard time believing people would just whistle, but then he handed me a balloon. Apparently when the balloon lets out air, it makes a whistling noise.
So, at the beginning of the 7th inning, everyone released their balloons into the air! I have a video, but it isn't very good (i'll edit it and post it later) XD I was too preoccupied with holding the balloon. XD
After the game, Tomas, Mike and I went for a couple drinks and gyoza. It was a good couple days ^^
Tonight, Mike's English school boss is having a dinner at his place. Tomorrow I will visit Ake and her family one more time T.T
I don't have many days left here, but I have made so many memories, and it really don't feel like I ever left, so that must be a good thing ^^
Until next time!
またね～！